Government grants for people with disabilities remain in limbo, although lawmakers passed a bill to strengthen this item during a special session of Parliament in May.
On Thursday, Governor Jim Justice indicated that funding could be restored later this year.
The federal exemption program helps adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (known as IDD) receive assistance at home to safely shower, eat, and more.
“The families are still worried and we feel a little depressed,” said Christy Black, advocacy specialist for the West Virginia Developmental Disabilities Council. “These are truly our most vulnerable people and people who have no voice for themselves.”
Legislators slashed millions of dollars in IDD funding in March as they attempted to cut the state budget in connection with a possible federal clawback.
In response called Lawmakers will return to Charleston in May to specifically address the funding gap.
The The invoicefollowed by a tense Stalemate between the House and Senate did not require the Department of Human Services to spend about $180 million on its exemption program for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Instead, the money was placed in a reserve that department heads can draw on in specific cases if necessary.
“You just have to hang on a little longer,” Justice said in response to a question from West Virginia Watch during a press conference“I think there will be some new news about IDD and funding for people, [who] deserve it very, very much.”
Disabled people’s representatives and Many lawmakers, particularly in the House of Representatives, hoped that the Department of Health and Human Services would utilize its funds to escalate Medicaid reimbursement rates.
The state uses state and federal Medicaid funds to reimburse private companies that employ caregivers, including those who care for people with disabilities or elderly residents.
Some IDD patients rely on caregivers for transportation, Black explained.
“Otherwise you’re basically stuck at home,” she said.
An escalate in the reimbursement rate would enable companies to escalate the wages of their employees.
Del. Amy Summers said Health Secretary Cynthia Persily is considering changes to the reimbursement rate starting Oct. 1, echoing Justice’s comments that changes are likely.
“I’m pretty confident,” said Summers, R-Taylor. “We have expressed our desire for this to happen because we know if the rate is not raised and they can’t pay people more money, then we know [companies are] will be closed. We know that we have to take care of our residents.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health did not respond to emailed requests for comment for this story.
Summer tried to push through pay raises for nurses during the regular legislative session; Senate members were not interested in giving the Department of Health more money because they had concerns about Misspending and transparency.
Nurses currently earn about $11 an hour, and West Virginia’s reimbursement rate is well below that of other states.
A 2023 Opinion poll A study conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services and funded by state funds said West Virginia needs to escalate its reimbursement rate and pay range for workers to $15.50 to $18.60 an hour.
Companies that employ home workers have told their state officials that they cannot remain competitive due to low Medicaid reimbursement rates in their state.
There is already a shortage of workers, which has led to more people with disabilities who end up in psychiatric care facilities. Facilities can cost the state Hundreds of dollars more per patient than home care or community care.
Lawmakers are expected to convene in August for another special session this year. Justice has indicated he wants the Republican-led legislatureimplementation further cuts to the state income tax and look at his to plan for a tax allowance for childcare.
